Challenges for Snow Removal in District One
The Prince George’s County Council held a snow removal briefing with the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) to brief residents about the snow removal operations on Tuesday, January 21. Director Michael Johnson and his team briefed the County Council on the challenges and the proposed long-term solutions to addressing future snow events. Please watch the Snow Removal Briefing, starting at 24:57, at https://bit.ly/SnowBriefingRecording.
Our office worked to ensure that people received timely communications and to report roads for clearing to DPW&T. There were 845 PGC311 snow-related requests in District One, with 785 requests closed as of January 19, 2025. A summary of the DPW&T plowing standards, service priorities, and a proposed timeline for future operational improvements was provided by DPW&T at the briefing. To read more from DPW&T, please visit: https://bit.ly/CCSnowBriefJan2025.
Staying Warm at the District One Warming Center
When extreme winter weather events bring extreme cold, it is critical to stay out of the cold and warm up. The designated warming center for District One is the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, located at 7120 Contee Road, Laurel, 20707. Winter storms include blizzards, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds, and they can increase the risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion.
The Prince George’s County Department of Social Services (DSS) staff and community-based providers will continue to reach out to homeless community members and urge them to seek shelter during extreme cold temperatures. Individuals needing an emergency shelter should call the 24-hour Homeless Resource Line at 1-888-731-0999 for location information. Residents concerned about the well-being of a homeless individual can complete the online Prince George’s County Community Services Street Outreach Referral form: https://bit.ly/PGStreetOutreachForm, with whatever information is known, and the Street Outreach Team will attempt to locate the person and offer resources and support.
Tips to Remember to Stay Warm
It’s crucial to know the three levels of winter weather. The three levels of ascending danger are winter weather advisory, winter storm watch, and winter storm warning. An advisory is issued for the accumulation of snow, freezing rain, drizzle, and sleet. A watch identifies that a potential blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is possible and is issued 12 to 48 hours before expected precipitation. A warning implies that heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or ongoing.
To sign up for severe weather and other emergency notifications, go to https://tinyurl.com/4yf5a6nf and sign up for Alert Prince George’s to get text messages sent to your cell phone, landline phone, and/or email address.
Please try to stay out of cold weather, minimize recreational activities, and wear appropriate warm clothing. To remain safe indoors, be mindful of carbon monoxide levels from different combustion heaters and avoid the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. To keep your vehicles safe, keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines, have adequate anti-freeze, keep your phone charged, keep extra blankets, and never leave a person alone in the cold. Animals cannot be left outside unattended, which may be considered animal cruelty.
Extreme cold is a dangerous situation that can cause health emergencies to susceptible people. This includes children, seniors, those without shelter, stranded individuals, or those living in poorly insulated homes or lacking heat.
Please pay attention to any signs of hypothermia or frostbite. Hypothermia can result from prolonged exposure to the cold, while frostbite is an injury caused by the body freezing. Seek medical care after you warm up for both situations.
2025 AARP Tax-Aide Program
The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free, in-person, personal income tax preparation, especially for those 50 and older who can’t afford paid preparation. The AARP site is at the Laurel Armory, 422 Montgomery Street, Laurel, 20707. They are available by appointment on Wednesdays from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM between February 5 and April 9, 2025. To schedule an appointment, please call 240-473-2955.
Join our District 1 Senior Living Newsletter List
Take advantage of resources, local activities, and events for seniors. Sign up for our monthly senior email newsletter: https://bit.ly/D1SeniorNewsletterOptIn.
Contact Us
Please keep in touch. You can email us at councildistrict1@co.pg.md.us or call 301-952-3887. Se habla español. አማርኛ እንናገራለን. Follow us on Facebook, X, Threads, and Instagram: @TomDernogaD1.
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